Snowball-mushball tournament set as fund-raiser for former Tiverton resident

A snowball-mushball tournament is scheduled for Feb. 25-26, at the Tiverton Ball Park, as a fund-raiser to help Ernie Roberts, a former resident of Tiverton.

Roberts lived in the community for more than 40 years but moved back to his hometown of Knowlton, Quebec, to retire a few years ago, after his wife died.

His daughter, Shelley Roberts, and her family live in Tiverton and are spearheading the fund-raiser.

She says her father did many jobs for free for seniors in the community, and completed many projects, such as the wishing well at the Tiverton Lions Walk of Memories.

A year ago, Roberts' home was broken into and then burned down, says Shelley. He had insurance up until a few months before the fire, but there was a dispute over his furnace tank, so the policy was cancelled until this was resolved.

"My dad is the kind of guy who would give the shirt off his back to help anyone in need, and he has helped many people and churches, organizations, etc.," says Shelley. "Now he is the one who needs the help."

Since the fire, Roberts has had to have emergency gallbladder surgery. Then he fell at work and was knocked unconscious, and a few weeks later, he was found on his bathroom floor unable to manage words or motor skills. Doctors found a bleed on his brain and he required emergency surgery, from which he is still recovering.

"The bottom line is, he needs the community's help which is why we are holding this fund-raiser," says Shelley.

The snowball-mushball tournament is a co-ed event. There will be a warming shelter, plus food and beverages, and "out-of-this-world" prizes available at the Lions Hall. Participants could win cash, Blue Jays tickets and "legit" tickets to the Harry Potter event in Goderich.

For more information, go to Facebook at: www.facebook.com/events/252638225165280/ or call 519- 386-6463.